While it is not a common model for cultural institutions, I worked for a university where staff was solicited to contribute to the endowment or annual fund by payroll deduction (and with the accompanying tax deduction that could be yours...) It was not expected, but development staffs do often try to include any and all in the support base (I did contribute while employed at a modest level and even though long-gone, I still get mailings, decades later...)

The expectation that a staff member should become a member should not have the tinge of a 'loyalty' test where they are expected to contribute as an expression of their commitment to the mission of the institution.

David

On Sat, May 30, 2015 at 11:38 AM, Anna Bassford-Woods <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

I agree that the employees contribute enough as it is, but the museums I have worked in I felt like it was an unwritten rule kinda that employees were expected to be members. So I don't feel like the practice is that unusual.

Anna

On May 30, 2015 10:10 AM, "Robert Wolfe" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
It seems unusual. I have worked at a museum where board members had to pay annual dues. But I feel like staff contribute enough to the organization to not need to buy a membership. If it's that important, just pay them 30$ less a year.

But no. That seems unusual to me and it would make me uncomfortable as well.

-Robert

Sent from my iPhone

On May 30, 2015, at 8:59 AM, Amy Kelch <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

I work at a small museum that asks its employees to purchase museum memberships. It is not required, but almost all staff and the board are paying members of the museum. This practice seems to barely toe the ethical line, especially since several staff have expressed discomfort about being asked.

Has anyone else encountered this issue or know of any readings or museum ethical codes that speak to this issue? I am looking for something to reference since this is something new to me.

Thanks!


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David Webster,
Collections Manager

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